George Roberts CBE Bursary

If all the below statements describe you and your current situation, you can apply for this scholarship.

• I am admitted to an undergraduate course at James Cook University;
• I have obtained a course GPA of at least 4.0;
• I have been in residence at George Roberts Hall for at least one full academic year;
• I am a current resident at George Roberts Hall;
• I am an outstanding resident and contribute to the ethos of the Hall; and
• I have not previously received a George Roberts CBE Bursary or Halls of Residence Bursary.

If you are a successful applicant of this scholarship the value of the bursary will be deducted from your annual accommodation fees. The value of the bursary will be determined each year by the Selection Committee based on the available income of the Fund.

Prior to completing an application, you should carefully read the Scholarship Rules below. Applicants wanting to apply for this scholarship must attach the following documents:

• a written statement detailing your involvement in activities and contributions made toward collegiality at George Roberts Hall; and
• any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of the application.

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you ensure that you include all relevant documents (including a completed application form) and that your application is submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

This scholarship was established in 2003 with a capital donation from the late Mr George Roberts. Mr Roberts played a crucial role in establishing and shaping the University College of Townsville, which went on to become JCU. As Deputy Mayor of Townsville, he arranged for the purchase of what is now the JCU campus in Douglas.  He placed great importance on providing tertiary education beyond the capital cities.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Nature of the Scholarship

The value of the bursary shall be determined by the Selection Committee based on the available income of the Fund as advised by the Director of Resources. The contribution from the bursary shall go towards full board accommodation expenses for one academic year and will be deducted from annual accommodation fees.

Eligibility Criteria

The George Roberts CBE Bursary shall be open to competition among applicants who:

• are admitted to an undergraduate course at James Cook University;
• have obtained a course GPA of at least 4.0;
• have been in residence at George Roberts Hall for at least one full academic year;
• are a current resident at George Roberts Hall;
• are outstanding residents who contribute to the ethos of the Hall; and
• have not previously received a George Roberts CBE Bursary or Halls of Residence Bursary.

Payment is subject to satisfactory progress in the awardees' studies and is conditional on the awardee remaining in residence and enrolled as a student at James Cook University.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Committee will, in the exercise of their absolute discretion, afford consideration to the following criteria:

• academic merit or potential;
• the character of the applicant for the award; and
• any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate, including whether the applicant has, or will receive any other scholarship assistance during their studies.

Application Procedures

Applications will be invited in March of the year in which the bursary is to be awarded and must be submitted on the official form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for that year.

Applicants must attach to the official form:

• a statement detailing the applicant's involvement in activities and contributions made toward collegiality at George Roberts Hall; and
• any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of the application.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the bursary, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the bursary shall be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise of:

• Manager, UniLodge JCU Halls of Residence (Chair), or nominee;
• Residential Life Manager,  UniLodge JCU Halls of Residence, or nominee; and
• Senior Residential Assistant of George Roberts Hall or nominee.

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

• not to award a bursary in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no applicant of sufficient merit to warrant an award;
• to award a bursary for a period of one or more years; and
• to extend a bursary for the existing recipient.

The Selection Committee may require applicants to undertake an interview as part of their application.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the bursary.

Conditions of the Scholarship

If the holder of an award fails to comply with any of these provisions or any provision relating to a particular award or with any conditions imposed under these provisions, the selection committee may terminate the award or withhold any further funds or take such action as it may deem necessary to enforce compliance with the provision or performance of the condition by the holder.

The recipient of the bursary shall continue to receive the award on condition that in the opinion of the Selection Committee, and on advice from the head of the college in which the recipient is undertaking a course of study, that the recipient maintains a satisfactory level of performance. Where it is determined that the level of academic performance is unsatisfactory the Selection Committee may in its absolute discretion cancel the award or suspend the award for such time as it may determine and/or until academic performance is considered satisfactory. Where an award is cancelled pursuant to the provisions to this clause it may, for the remainder of the term for which the original holder would have been entitled to it, be awarded to another suitable applicant.

In the event the Selection Committee cancels or suspends the student’s bursary, a student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

The requirements of the bursary shall not make the awarding of the bursary conditional upon the recipient providing unremunerated services or products to the donor.

In the event that the recipient suspends their study, the bursary shall be suspended.

Administration of the Scholarship

The bursary shall be administered by the Manager of JCU Halls of Residence, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the bursary shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the officer of the University charged with administering the bursary.

Where there is a fund maintaining the award, the annual value of the award shall be approximately equal to the annual income from the fund.

Income from a fund not expended on the award which it maintains, shall be added to and become part of the fund.

Moneys payable in any year to the holder of an award shall be paid at such times and in such amounts as the Registrar deems appropriate to the circumstance of each case.

Where a special provision relating to an award provides for the award to be paid in cash, the Vice-Chancellor may direct that in lieu of cash the award to be made in whole or in part in the form of books, instruments or equipment necessary to the awardee's course to a value approximately equal to the stated amount of the award, unless the terms of any trust or the conditions laid down by the donor of the award expressly provide otherwise.

Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation.

Further Information

Administration
George Roberts Hall
James Cook University
TOWNSVILLE QLD 4811
Phone: +61 7 4781 5590